Solar Applied Materials Technology has opened a Tetronics-built plant to recover precious metals from spent catalysts and electronic waste.

Based in Taiwan, the facility uses UK-company Tetronics’ plasma arc technology to recover more than 98 per cent of platinum group metals (PGM).

It will process 1,850 tonnes per year of spent catalysts, producing 120,000 troy oz of PGM based on typical automotive catalyst profiles.

Tetronics International chief executive Graeme Rumbol said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone with Solar and to see them experiencing the rewards of their investment. We look forward to expanding our partnership with Solar over the coming years and supporting them as they roll out their plans for rapid growth.”